Identity Hygiene: Tips for Taking Care of Your Digital Self

In 2017 alone, there were 16.7 million victims of identity fraud in the United States. Since 2012, $112 billion, or $35,600 every minute, has been stolen as a result of identity fraud. Unfortunately, many Americans will become a victim of identity theft soon, if they haven’t already. As consumers, we need to manage our identities just as we would other aspects of our physical, financial, and emotional health. Identity hygiene refers to ongoing proactive maintenance that individuals, families, and organizations can take to ensure that their sensitive information remains as secure as possible. These habits are preventative, take minimal amounts of time, and are extremely effective when performed regularly. The first step in identity hygiene is understanding that identity theft and fraud are very real problems. In this whitepaper, we outline ways your employees can improve their identity hygiene and protect themselves against long-term consequences of identity theft.